Snowy fish store run, sick betta rescue mission

Описание: We braved snow, icicles, and full Midwest winter mode to take my sick betta to our local fish store for help. He’s been battling what looks like popeye that progressed to his mouth for a few weeks now, and while he’s finally swimming and eating again, we wanted expert eyes on him. Fingers crossed they can help save my little dude. 🤞

Of course, once we were there… things escalated.

This trip turned into a full-on fish haul featuring:

Balloon Rams (including a possible female 👀)

German Rams (pink belly = hopeful vibes)

Electric Blue Rams (female lottery, as usual)

Blueberry Tetras (very mad, very pale… for now)

Rainbow Shiners (I asked for 8… I think we got 12 😅)

Turquoise Rainbowfish (absolute stunners)

A hybrid petricola-style catfish

Plus some serious temptation from shrimp, discus, plecos, and more

Back home, we acclimate everyone, do some strategic distraction feeding (because someone is always spicy), and cross our fingers for future spawns. The rams didn’t lay this round—but they usually lay often, so we’ll be ready next time.

Big Bertha closes us out like the queen she is. 👑
Thanks for hanging at the pad—stay chill, keep it clean, and I’ll see you on the next one.

👇 Drop a comment if you’ve bred rams, kept rainbow shiners, or survived a “just looking” fish store trip.

Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the Pad and keeps the fish food stocked 🐠💙

Thermometer: https://amzn.to/46wrvsX
Hang on back filter: https://amzn.to/4aeUUZP
Air Pump: https://amzn.to/4kwk0by
Sponge filter: https://amzn.to/3ZSikiW
Fish nets: https://amzn.to/3O1gs4N
Greeze Dried Krill: https://amzn.to/3McGT76